Adagio vs. Andante

[un_etudiant]

Dear all:

How would you characterize the difference between an Adagio and an Andante?

Cheers,
John

[rsp1]

From the Dometsch Online Music Dictionary https://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheorydefs.htm
Adagio:  (Spanish m., German n. from adagio (Italian m.), literally 'at ease', 'leisurely') as an indication of tempo, slow, leisurely, solemnly, gnerally slower than andante and faster than largo, langsam (German), gemächlich (German)

Andante:  (English, German, Italian, from andare meaning 'to go') moving along, flowing, at a walking pace, faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
(There is some disagreement among composers as to whether andante is a 'quick' or a 'slow' tempo marking. If andante were a 'fast' tempo marking, andante molto or molto andante would be quicker than andante. However, if andante were a 'slow' tempo marking, andante molto or molto andante would be slower than andante).

Hope this helps

[un_etudiant]

From the Dometsch Online Music Dictionary https://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheorydefs.htm
Adagio:  (Spanish m., German n. from adagio (Italian m.), literally 'at ease', 'leisurely') as an indication of tempo, slow, leisurely, solemnly, gnerally slower than andante and faster than largo, langsam (German), gemächlich (German)

Andante:  (English, German, Italian, from andare meaning 'to go') moving along, flowing, at a walking pace, faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
(There is some disagreement among composers as to whether andante is a 'quick' or a 'slow' tempo marking. If andante were a 'fast' tempo marking, andante molto or molto andante would be quicker than andante. However, if andante were a 'slow' tempo marking, andante molto or molto andante would be slower than andante).

Hope this helps

Thank you, rsp1.  It seems to me that Andante generally has more flow, and therefore, "at ease" is a very apt description.  Of course, some performers play some adagios with a little more forward momentum, whereas other performers might take an Andante at a more leisurely pace than others. 

These definitions are very helpful.  I look forward to reading the opinions of other posters about the qualitative difference between the two tempo indications!

Cheers,
John

[slow_concert_pianist]

andantino versus allegretto always confoose the hell outta me!

[pianisten1989]

I don't think it's only tempo though. Like Grave: It's not only slow, but very.. kind of painfull.

Andante means walking, right? Then I don't think it should be too much of huge rubato and, but rather straight..

Adagio is probably more rubato-friendly imo. Also kind of like a sailing boat that ran out of wind, but still moving.

This is very un-scientific ideas, but it's how I think. Plzz tell me if I am wrong.

Best

[comma]

A little memory hook for slow_concert_pianist: -ino and -etto are Italian diminutives. That's why allegretto is slower than allegro (a little bit allegro) and larghetto is quicker than largo (a little bit largo).

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https://www.pianistenschule.de

[alessandro]

andantino versus allegretto always confoose the hell outta me!

Or 'multo apassionato ma non troppo' is also a very speficic one...

[pianisten1989]

Debussy probably gets the price: A note with both a portato and staccatto, THE SAME NOTE!?! >.<

It's like, play it long, but short...